How Often Should You Wash Bedsheets?
Wash bedsheets once a week — every two weeks at most. Sheets collect sweat, dead skin, oils and dust mites quickly, so regular washing keeps your bed fresh and your skin happy. Machine washing is straightforward; the keys are not overloading the drum, using the right temperature for the fabric, and not drowning them in detergent.
What You Need
- Quality liquid detergent
- Warm or hot water (for cotton; cooler for delicate blends)
- White vinegar (optional, softens and freshens)
Step-by-Step
- Shake out the sheets and separate by colour.
- Pre-treat any stains before loading.
- Load sheets loosely — fill no more than three-quarters of the drum so they tumble freely.
- Wash cotton sheets warm or hot for hygiene; use cooler water for silk or microfibre blends.
- Add a moderate amount of liquid detergent — too much leaves residue.
- Run an extra rinse, and add half a cup of vinegar to soften if you like.
What NOT to Do
- Don’t wash sheets with towels — lint transfers and the heavier items abrade the sheets.
- Don’t cram several sheets in; they twist into a ball and don’t clean.
- Don’t use hot water on delicate or printed sheets — it fades and shrinks them.
- Don’t over-dry, which weakens the fibres and causes creasing.
Drying Tips
Line-drying gives the crispest, freshest sheets, and sunlight naturally disinfects and brightens whites. If using a dryer, choose medium heat and remove the sheets while slightly damp to avoid wrinkles. Smooth and fold (or remake the bed) right away for that crisp, hotel-style finish without ironing.
Useful Reads & Where to Shop
Sheets and towels share a wash routine but shouldn’t go in together — see how to wash towels and keep them soft. Big bedding loads need the right machine size, so check our washing machine capacity guide.